The
people of St. Edmund Parish are a diverse community of Christians
whose beliefs are rooted in sacred scripture and the traditions of
the Catholic faith. We strive to fulfill the commandments of Jesus
to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our
mind, and with all our strength (Mk 12:30), and to love one another
as He has loved us (Jn 13:34). We gather as community to be
nourished in Word and Sacrament, and are sent forth to be, to see
and to experience Christ in the world with friend and stranger
alike.

In
gratitude for all our blessings, we commit ourselves to love,
forgive and support each other joyfully. We seek to serve others and
to be active participants in living our Catholic faith.

Centering Prayer every Saturday at 9:30am.
All are welcome—beginners too! Come join us.

Eucharistic Adoration Mondays,
2pm - 8pm.
Join in this blessed devotion on Mondays
in the church sanctuary unless otherwise
announced.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays: 4:15pm.
(located in west end of north transept).

__________________

Week at a Glance

___

Miscellany.....

We Need the Generosity of Every
Parishioner!The
easiest and most convenient way to remember your weekly
collection is to sign up for automatic electronic withdrawal. It
is a very safe method of support and helps the parish know
exactly what it can count on from week to week. Additionally,
there are many people who do not financially support their
parish at all, and we need the help of everyone! Please consider
what you are able to give and sign up for automatic electronic
withdrawal today!Click here

to sign up through the Give Central website.

MANNA Gift
Cards Available for Purchase. A wide-variety of
vendor cards, such as Jewel, Carsons, gas,
restaurant offerings, and many more are available.
You will receive the full value (100 percent) of
your purchase card. St. Edmund will receive arebate back from
your purchase. MANNA ordering forms are available on
the tables in the Murphy Hall corridor. Feel free to
take one home with you to browse through for your
shopping needs. Contact Deacon Tom at
tdwyer@stedmund.org
or Denise Walsh
at drwalsh34@gmail.com
for ordering and more information about the bank
account option.

Saint Edmund parishioners are strongly
urged to subscribe to the Parish
Listserv. Send an email using the address you wish to use to
receive posts addressed to the following address:
imailsrv@stedmund.org.
Leave the subject line empty and write the following in the body
of the e-mail: Subscribe stedmund <your name as you wish to
see it displayed>. Except for your name, the command is case
sensitive.

Monthly Wedding AnniversarySunday is held at all masses
on the first Sunday of the month. A special blessing is bestowed
on all couples who will celebrate their anniversary in that
month.

"It is the synthesis-word of the Gospel-"Mercy"-it is the
fundamental trait of the face of Christ: that face that we
recognize in the diverse aspects of his existence: when he
goes out to meet all, when he heals the sick, when he sits
at table with sinners, and most of all when, nailed to the
cross, he pardons; there we see the face of divine mercy."

--Pope
Francis

This web site was the inspiration of Suzanne C. Guerin,
who passed away October 14, 2003. The site is
lovingly dedicated to her.

** News and Events for the Week of February 18, 2018 **

Upcoming Parish Events

Sunday, February 18, the Parish Life Commission is collecting
items as part of its organization for a Rummage Sale.
Tired of items you think you will use but never do? We can
help! We are collecting antiques, artwork, lamps, pottery,
jewelry or any items of small to medium size, due to storage
limitations. Drop off your items at the Parish School from
11am - 1pm through the Pleasant Street entrance. Proceeds
benefit St. Edmund Parish!

Monday, February 19, the Parish Office will be closed in
observance of the President’s Day holiday. In addition,
there will not be Eucharistic Adoration on this day.
Eucharistic Adoration will resume on Monday, February 26.

Tuesday, February 20, the St. Edmund Book Club will meet at
7:30pm to discuss The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild
by Lawrence Anthony. Set against the background of life
on an African game reserve, with unforgettable characters
and exotic wildlife, Anthony's unrelenting efforts at animal
protection and his remarkable connection with nature will
inspire animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.
Contact parishioner Mari Hans at:
marithans@comcast.net
for more information.

Friday, February 23, join us at 7:00 p.m. for "Damien",
a one man play by Aldyth
Morris, with Wayne Messmer starring as Saint Damien, The
Leper Priest of Molokai. Messmer is a professional speaker, singer, broadcaster, author and actor. The play tells the story of
Father Damien, who was canonized in 2009, and who devoted his life and ministry to more than
8,000 lepers on the island of Molokai (1873-1889). Sponsored by The Catholic
Parishes of Oak Park, St. Edmund Church is the host for this
production. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10.00
in the Murphy Hall corridor after masses or on the Give Central website. Tickets at the
door are $15.00.

Saturday, February 24,
join us in the North Transept of the church from 6:30
to 7pm for our monthly Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence.
It is our way of standing against the culture of violence in
our country. We also urge legislators to understand the
urgency of this issue.

February 26 through March 22, the Archdiocese of Chicago has
planned a series of Lenten events specifically for Young
Adults. Click on the Young Adults page for more
information.

Tuesday, February 27, Join us in Murphy Hall from 7:00pm - 9:00pm
for our Lenten Journal Workshop at which you will
make a Lenten Journal recording your journey through Lent
2018. Parishioner Michele Wheeler will lead the workshop in
the ancient art of hand bookmaking using a needle and
thread. The soft bound book is perfect for journaling,
prayer collecting, sketching, and many other uses. There is
not a fee for the workshop, but advance registration is
needed so we may purchase materials. Please call the parish
office at 708-848-4417, extension 201 to register with your
name and telephone number. For more information, contact
Michele Wheeler at:
michelemwheeler@gmail.com .

Saturday March 10, join in the St.
Patrick’s Celebration in Murphy Hall sponsored by
the St. Edmund Parish Life Commission! Come for the wearin’
o’ the green! Just $25.00 per person for dinner, beverages,
live Irish music and dancers. For full details, click on
the
Special Events page.

SAVE THE DATE:

May 5:...An Elegant Evening

_______________________

DID YOU KNOW...

….that on Tuesdays during Lent, you can participate in our
Lenten Faith-Sharing Group. This is not a Bible study
program, but a sharing of your reflections on the scripture of
the weekends and how it affects your life, your thoughts, and
the world around you. It is an opportunity to deepen your faith
and to become more aware of how scripture has influenced your
life. All materials will be provided at no cost to you. The
Group meets Tuesday afternoons at 332 S. Grove Avenue from 1:30
pm–3:00 pm. For more information click on
Special Events or contact Kathy Halfpenny
at:708-386-1832 or
khalfpenny@stedmund.org .

...we’re on Twitter! Follow us: St. Edmunds-Oak Park or
click on @edmunds_oakpark .

Parish Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m., Friday,
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. You may want to call ahead to
ensure that someone is available to assist you, as
the office may be closed from time to time.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., and Sunday, 9:00
a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Our volunteer recruitment for the
St. Edmund’s
PADS Ministry continues. This ministry
works under the umbrella of the housing Forw>rd +
Prevail organization. The
program runs every Tuesday from Mid–September
through Mid-May at Oak Park Temple at 1235 North
Harlem. We hope you will consider supporting this
key parish ministry by signing up to be a team
volunteer. As a volunteer you are making a
commitment to work as part of a team in whatever
capacity you choose. For more details, please click
on the Special Events
link.

Minister of Care Home Visit
Arrangements. St. Edmund Parish has trained
Ministers of Care, who bring Communion to homebound
parishioners. Arrangements can be scheduled on
either a short-term or long-term basis. To schedule
visitation, contact Peggy Leddy, Pastoral Associate,
at 708-848-4417, x202, orpleddy@stedmund.org
.

Donate your discarded cell phones and help abused
women. The Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry
collects phones and chargers in collaboration with
Verizon Network. The phones are programmed with
emergency numbers, loaded with 3000 minutes, and
distributed to abused women through various
shelters.
Drop off phones and accessories in the basket on the
table in the Murphy Hall Corridor. We are grateful
for your support!

The last Saturday of each month, please join us on
the rectory lawn from 6:30 to 7pm
for our monthly
Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence.
It is our way of standing against the culture of violence in
our country.
We also urge legislators to understand the urgency
of this issue.

St.
Edmund Parish is in need of a few good people to
serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
and Lectors for the weekend masses. The
Ministers of the Eucharist assist in the
distribution of Holy Communion at mass. Lectors
proclaim the First and Second readings at mass,
lead the people in the Prayer of the
Faithful, and read the weekly announcements. For questions, contact Mary Lynn
Dietsche atdietscheml@gmail.comor
call the parish office.

Do you want to become a Catholic, or perhaps just learn more
about the Catholic faith? Registration for theRite of Christian Initiation of Adults
(RCIA) is now open
and sessions start soon.
For more information
contact Peggy.

Adult Confirmation Sessions.Baptized
Catholics,19 and older, who are not yet
confirmed and have received Holy Communion are invited to contact Peggy for information
about preparation for the Sacrament of
Confirmation. Registration is now open and sessions start soon.For more information
click here.

New or expectant parents are invited to register for
Baptismal Preparation Class. For more information or to
register, please contact Peggy.

Religious Study

OurBible Study of
St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians begins
Friday, February 16 from 9 -10:30
am
in Murphy Hall. We meet on consecutive Fridays unless
otherwise announced. Paul inspires us as well as
first century Christians. Letters to Thessalonians,
Colossians, and Ephesians challenge us to greater
discipleship. All are welcome, especially newcomers!

The Tuesday Afternoon Faith
Sharing Group meets the first Tuesday of each
month from 1pm - 3pm. This is
not a Bible Study program, but a sharing of your
reflections on the scripture of the weekends and how
it affects your life, thoughts, and the world around
you. It is a chance to deepen your faith and to
become more aware of how scripture has influenced
your life. Please bring your own Bible having read
the scriptures for the upcoming weekend. For more
information and the location contact Kathy Halfpenny
at: khalfpenny@stedmund.org
or call her at 708-386-1832.

Centering Prayer Group,
Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. in the North Transept area of the church.
Centering Prayer welcomes newcomers and provides a time
and place for peace, quiet, prayer and reflection.
Mother Theresa explained that “we need silence to be
alone with God, to speak to Him, to ponder His words
deep in our hearts.” Please join us; all are welcome.

Parish Service Opportunities and Groups

The St. Edmund PADS/Housing
Forward ministry has been staffing an overnight
emergency
shelter in Oak Park for nearly 20 years. This
is the parish’s largest ministry and needs your help
to ensure successful Housing Forward seasons. We are
looking for Site Leads, Evening and Overnight
Volunteers, and Breakdown Teams. If interested
please contact Deacon Tom Dwyer and Anita Dwyer
at 708-848-4417.

Rehearsals
for the St. Edmund Parish choirs are held
Wednesdays at
7:30 p.m. in the church choir loft,
and you have your choice of serving in this ministry
at either the 5:30pm Saturday evening mass or the
11:00am Sunday morning mass each week. For more
information contact Kathy Halfpenny at: khalfpenny@stedmund.org or call her at
708-386-1832.

The parish Welcome
Committee ensures those who are new to our
parish are warmly welcomed and have the information
they need to feel a part of our community as quickly
as possible. The committee seeks parishioners who
are willing to greet and register new parishioners
on the second weekend of each month. Please contact
parishioner Mary Ellen Gruszka at:
mgruszka8453@aol.com.

Alzheimers Support Group, for caregivers of
persons living with younger-onset (before age 65)
dementia. The group meets on the first Saturday of
every month in Murphy Hall from 10:30am - 12pm noon,
unless otherwise announced. Sponsored by the
Alzheimer’s Association, the group is facilitated by
a trained volunteer. For more information, visit:
http://www.alzheimersillinois
. Caregiving may be difficult, but getting support for yourself
should not be!

The Type 1 Diabetes Support
Group provides free, fun activities and
informational presentations for families dealing
with Type 1 diabetes, known as Juvenile or
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes. One of the big positives
is that the children and their parents meet and talk
with other families with this disease. Kids also
enjoy supervised play in the school gym while
parents discuss diabetes related topics. Sometimes
we all meet together. We meet the first Wednesday of
the month in the Resource Room of the School from
7:15pm - 8:30pm, unless otherwise announced. Contact
parishioner Helen Gilmore at:gilmorefamily2@comcast.net
.

The
Respect Life Committee has a virtual home at
www.facebook.com/StEdmundRespectLife.
“Like” our page to receive inspiration and
information on current and upcoming events.
The Respect Life Committee holds monthly meetings
the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm in Murphy
Hall. Contact Mary Ellen Gruszka at mgruszka8453@aol.com
.

The parish’s
Prayer Shawl Ministry
ministry helps provide comfort to those who are ill,
support those who are experiencing difficulty in
their lives and those who are coping with the loss
of a loved one.

The St. Edmund Parish Life Commission offers
knitting and crochet classes
for adults in
Murphy Hall. The group generally meets on the second
Saturday of the month.